Revenge

Not sure a lot of people watch the series Revenge. Season one was pretty complicated and one I did enjoy but it aint got nothing on season two which is just nine episodes along. *sigh*. This winter finale is killing and I can’t wait till 2013. However, that isn’t the reason for this post.

Re.venge [ri-venj]

– verb (used with object)

1. to exact punishment or rxipation for a wrong on behalf of, especially in a resentful or vindictive spirit.

2. to take vengeance for; inflict punishment for; avenge.

– verb (used without object)

3. to take revenge.

-noun

4. the act of revenging; retaliation for injures or wrongs; vengeance.

5. something done in vengeance.

6. the desire to revenge; vindictiveness.

7. an opportunity to retaliate or gain satisfaction.

Ok, enough of English lessons. The aim of this somewhat pointless post is “what is the purpose of revenge”. To what end do we seek to avenge a wrong done to us or someone close to us. After we have revenged, what satisfaction do we derive. The story is based on a young girl whose father was accused of a crime he didn’t commit and was killed. Her childhood was destroyed. Her life, her family was destroyed. She ended up in Juve and at the moment is ready to destroy everybody who was involved in her father’s death.

She has a right to be angry right? A right to want to avenge her father’s death. She never had the kind of childhood a lot of us had and should rightly so avenge yeah? But to what end? When she is done destroying the lives of these other people, what next? It is a good story line, pretty complicated at sometimes and really a good watch but I find myself asking almost after every episode, “where does this end”?

In the course of this revenge, she has lost a very good male friend (Jack) to faux Amanda. I remember in one episode in season 1, Nolan asked her to give up on her plans and enjoy her life. Sail away with Jack he advised. But I guess the quest to bring these people down has so consumed her, she can’t and won’t listen to sound advice. We see faux Amanda tell her again in Sunday’s episode that she can live her life. I just want to ask, what is the “reward” gained for revenge. She is young, has many years to live, yet she decides to spend her youthful years avenging the wrong done to her father.

Another revenge story unfolding is the Ryan brothers who want to avenge their father’s death. Since the person they assumed killed their father is dead, the want to take it out on his sons and grandson. A new baby is born into this web who knows nothing about what his grandfather presumably did but is in as much danger as his father and his uncle. All because some people want to avenge their father’s death.

Once again, I ask, to what end? What is the reward for avenging a wrong done? What do you gain? I know it isn’t easy to let go of hurt, but is it really worth it? If we all go about revenging, who would be left on earth biko? Or if God decides to “revenge”?

Side note:

Romans 12:17-21

Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honourable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Matthew 5:38-39

“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.

1 Thessalonians 5:15

See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.

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8 thoughts on “Revenge”

I also watch ‘Revenge’ and absolutely loving the second season as well.

Like you, I have often reflected the whole point of Emily’s stance on living her life in avenging her dead father. I remember some episodes back, someone asked her when it was all going to end and her reply was it would for on for infinity.

Anyways, it is an intersting and intense series and I love it, but there are lessons to be learnt from it as well. It shows how one can lose out on the happy and ordinary things in life in their quest for vengeane. May God help us all to forget the negative past and move on into better tommorows.

I remember thinking the same thing when I watched revenge. It is gripping but it is, mehn, to what end? When will it all end? She can’t live her life because she is trying to teach people a lesson. See all the money she has wasted sef! As for faux amanda…. *sigh* I don’t blame her but she is a psycho. In all of this, I feel so sorry for jack!